Edward “Buck” Joyner Jr., Hampton University‘s beloved, men’s head basketball coach for the past 15 years, will not have his contract renewed as announced on Monday. Joyner finishes as Hampton’s all-time winning coach at the Division I level with a 223-257 record.
The Pirates completed the 2023-24 season on Saturday with an 80-50 loss to Delaware in the second round of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships. Hampton finished the 2023-24 with a 9-24 record and finished in last place in the CAA with a 3-15 mark. The Pirates have not posted a winning record in five seasons since recording an 18-17 worksheet in 2018-19.
“Coach Joyner is a good basketball coach and a tremendous person,” Hampton University Director of Athletics Anthony D. Henderson Sr. said.
“Over the past 15 years, he has poured his heart and soul into the Hampton basketball program. Ultimately, we have not maintained the consistent level of success on the court that we expect. After a full review, we have decided to make a change in the basketball program’s leadership.”
Coach Joyner generated a multitude of successes during his tenure. Under his leadership, the Pirates appeared in seven postseason tournaments. For six straight seasons (2014-19), Hampton advanced to the postseason, ranging from the NCAA Tournament to the CIT.
· Three NCAA Tournament berths (2011, 2015, 2016)
· One NIT appearance (2018)
· Two CBI invitations (2014, 2017)
· One CIT appearance (2019)
During the 2015 NCAA tournament, the Pirates earned their second NCAA Tournament win at the Division I level. Hampton defeated Manhattan 74-64 in the First Four. Joyner’s teams also claimed two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season titles (2015-16, 2017-18) and three MEAC tournament crowns (2011, 2015, 2016).
Despite the lack of success on the court this season, Hampton University had notable wins over longtime rival Howard in the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, CAA foes Towson, Campbell, and Monmouth along with an upset win over Elon in the opening round of the CAA Championships. With the win over the Phoenix Joyner became the only Pirates coach in program history to win a conference tournament game in every Division I conference in which the Pirates competed.
Yet the Pirates’ fifth consecutive losing season was led by a 13-game losing streak this year and a 5-13 conference record. The task was made tougher as Hampton moved from the MEAC to the tougher Big South and then to the more competitive CAA during Joyner’s tenure.
“Our student-athletes benefitted greatly from their time with Coach Joyner and his commitment to their personal development,” Henderson said. “We thank Buck for his service to the university and wish him and his family well.”
Hampton University will immediately begin a national search for a new head coach.
*This story is still developing and we will update you as more info is provided.
